Fireplace implement



June 16, 1942. J. H. SMITH FIREPLACE IMPLEMENT Filed March 25, 1941Patented June 16, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIREPLACE IMPLEMENTJames Hopkins Smith, Falmouth Foresidc, Maine Application March 25,1941, Serial No. 385,182

3 Claims.

This invention relates to implements and more particularly to implementsadapted for use as open fireplace tools.

The conventional fire poker frequently found in open fireplace implementsets is neither of such size nor configuration as to adapt it topractical use in the manipulation and the stimulation of a burning logfire; consequently its function is largely that of an ornament.

It is the object of this invention to provide an implement which is bothornamental and of such size and construction as to lend itself topractical use in the manipulation of logs and in the stimulation of afire.

To the end that the object of the invention may be attained, theimplement embodies a tubular staff having attached to one end thereof ahead which has a pointed projection extending in an axial direction anda hook-like prong extending from the head in a lateral direction. Theprong and projection are so arranged that logs lying in the fireplacemay be engaged by either one or both and manipulated with ease. The headis attached to the staff in a manner to provide passages communicatingbetween the hollow interior of the staff and the exterior thereof in theregion of the head. This latter feature enables one to blow into theopen end of the staff and direct the blast of air issuing from theopposite end to points of the fire most needing the stimulus. Theimplement is of such length as to permit the performance of all itsintended functions without requiring the user to approach so close tothe fire as to be endangered or inconvenienced by either heat or fumes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear as themore detailed description thereof is read with regard to the drawingforming a part of the disclosure, in which like reference numeralsindicate like parts. and in which:

Figure 1 is a greatly reduced scale view of the implement throughout itsentire length;

Figure 2 is a view of the headed end of the stall;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the headed end of the staff takenon lines 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the headed end of the staff takenon lines at right angles to line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on of Figure 3.

The specific embodiment of the invention includes a tubular staff whichmay be formed from a length of highly polished metal tubing.

line 5-5 One end of the staff has attached thereto a head l2 having abase l4 fixed within one end I6 of the staff I0. The head is preferablyformed at its base with an undercut or grooved portion I8 extendingcircumfe-rentially thereabout into which undercut portion one end of thestaff may be spun in order to effect a substantial joint between the twomembers.

The head I2 is relatively short and has its outer end 20 sufficientlypointed to provide a logengaging portion extending in an axialdirection. Substantially midway between the base l4 and the point 20there is formed a hook-like prong 22 which extends in a lateraldirection. The prong 22 is particularly useful in engaging the rearsides of logs for the purpose of moving them forwardly in the fireplace.

An important feature of the invention involves the means provided hereinfor stimulating the fire as may be found desirable from time to time.This feature involves the formation of passages communicating with theinterior of the staff If] at the region of its headed end, providingegress for air at this point. The passages referred to are shown in thedrawing as constituting diametrically disposed grooves 24 formed throughthe peripheral surface of the head I2 near the base thereof. The totalcross sectional area of the passages 24, whether there be one, two ormore, should be less than the total cross sectional area of the interiorof the tubular staff ID. This latter construction permits the dischargeof air through said passages at a, relatively high velocity whilerequiring supply thereto at a much lower velocity. The unheaded end ofthe staff remains open so that one may blow into the open end whilestanding away from the fire, yet being able to direct the passages 24 tosuch areas of the fire requirin stimulation.

The specific form of the invention is obviously susceptible tovariations within certain limitations and the practice of the inventionshall be not limited other than by limitations in the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. An implement consisting of a tubular staff having therein a headhaving its base attached to one end of said staff, the outer end of saidhead being pointed, a hook-like prong extending laterally from saidhead, a plurality of passages formed at the headed end of said staff,said passages providing communication between the interior of said stafiand the exterior of its headed end and being of less aggregatecrosssectional area than the cross-sectional area of the interior ofsaid staff, and an opening at the opposite end of said staff.

2. An implement consisting of a tubular stafi having therein a headhaving its base attached Within one end of said staff, the outer end ofsaid head being pointed, a hook-like prong extending laterally from saidhead, a plurality of passages formed in the periphery of the body ofsaid head, said passages providin communication between the interior ofsaid staff and the exterior of its headed end and being of lessaggregate crosssectional area than the cross-sectional area of theinterior of said staff, and an opening at the opposite end of saidstafi.

3. An implement consisting of a tubular staff having a head at one endthereof, the outer end of said head being pointed, a hook-like prongextending laterally from said head, a passage formed at the headed endof said staff providing communication between the interior of said staffand the exterior of its headed end, said passage being of less aggregatecross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the interior ofsaid staff, and an opening at the opposite end of said staff.

J. HOPKINS SMITH.

